Category: Featured

Group One-performing sprinter Sacred Satono (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) will have just his third start over a mile at Ellerslie on Saturday, with a bold showing opening up further opportunities in spring. Placed in both the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) and Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) this season, trainers Bruce Wallace and Grant Cooksley felt it was the right time to test their charge over a mile once more. His two previous mile tests netted unplaced runs in the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) and Aotearoa Classic (1600m), and they are hoping it’s third…

In-form three-year-old Atmospheric (NZ) (El Roca) will be given his first tilt at stakes level when he heads to Ellerslie on Saturday to contest the Gr.3 Trelawney Stud Championship Stakes (2100m).  The lightly-tried son of El Roca hasn’t finished outside of the money in his six starts to date, with his four starts this preparation netting two wins and two placings, and trainer Cody Cole believes he deserves his chance at adding some black-type to his name before heading for a spell.  “He seems to be coping with the preparation…

Saturday will prove to be a lucrative day for the winning connections of the Southern Cups Bonus Series as it comes to a head in the Kennedy Building Riverton Cup (2147m).  Robert Dennis is intent on ensuring his owners scoop the $50,000 winner takes all bonus, with the Ascot Park trainer currently sitting in pole position in the series with his mare Loftys Gift (NZ) (Ghibellines) (eight points) following her win in the Listed Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m) and runner-up performance in the Gore Cup (2000m).  She subsequently trekked north…

Little Avondale Stud created a slice of New Zealand racing history when they successfully brokered a deal to stand Little Brose (Per Incanto) at their Wairarapa farm. Principals Sam and Catriona Wiliams pulled off a breeding coup with the high-class colt, the first ever Australian Group One-winning two-year-old over 1200m to debut at stud in this country. He will stand his first season in 2025 at $15,000 + GST alongside his sire and stud stalwart Per Incanto, who off the back of a stellar season will serve a limited book…

Rising talent Zormella (NZ) (Almanzor) contested the NZB Kiwi (1500m) at Ellerslie last month, and on Saturday she will return to the Auckland venue as a key player in the Gr.3 Trelawney Stud Championship Stakes (2100m). The daughter of Almanzor was a late inclusion in the southern hemisphere’s richest three-year-old race after stablemate Dealt With (NZ) (Ace High) was ruled out of the $3.5 million contest. At just her third start, she was far from disgraced and showed her class when returning to Rating 65 company last-start putting over three…